The Learning Community Early Head Start 1181 W. Scottwood Ave. Flint, Michigan 48507 (810) 591-7236 HANDBOOK Welcome to the Learning Community Class Time: 8:45am-3:00pm Monday-Thursday Coordinator: Malinda Baker Phone: 810-591-7208 Teacher & Assistant: _____________________ Phone: ______________ Please be sure to call the classroom before your child’s class starts if he/she is going to be absent. Early Head Start Office (810) 591-7236 Remember that parents, family members or friends are always welcome to volunteer in your child’s classroom! Whether you can volunteer for a few minutes or all day……... YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!!!!!! Our Promise to You: Confidentiality Our relationship with your family begins with a promise that all information that you provide to The Learning Community staff during your family’s enrollment and participation in our programs is protected by confidentiality. No information that you share with us, either verbally or in writing, is shared with any other persons or agencies without your written consent (Exception: Please see policy regarding child abuse and neglect reporting). All children and family records are kept in locked filing drawers and on our computerized data tracking system which is password protected. Only Early Head Start/Head Start /GSRP staff such as your child’s teachers, your Family /Community Support Coordinator and other authorized office personnel has access to your records. Other authorized personnel may include GCCARD Central Office staff (Head Start only), state licensing officials, or program evaluation officials. We also ensure that all students placed here through college or high school internships, review and sign our Confidentiality Policy. Beginning with this promise of confidentiality, we hope to build a partnership with you and your family. We hope that you will grow to trust The Learning Community staff that you work with and know that we will offer respectful assistance when needed and, at the same time, guard your privacy. IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Program Director Kristi Myatt 591-7223 0-3 Child Development Coordinator Kathy Rhodes 591-7220 0-3 Family and Community Support Coordinator Malinda Baker 591-7208 0-3 Nutritionist/Special Needs Coordinator Patrice Moesta R.D. 591-7218 Teresa Anderson 591-7212 Early Head Start Home Visitors Beth Butcher 591-7230 Ryanne Kross 591-7204 Roshanda Womack 591-7263 EHS Health and Family Support Coordinator Cheryl Gerrish R.N. 591-7242 Early Head Start Office Debbie Davenport 591-7236 EHS Behavioral Health Services Roshanda Womack 591-7263 Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools Administration Building 591-3700 Like us on Facebook Bendle/Carman-Ainsworth Early Head Start EARLY CHILDHOOD PHILOSOPHY The Carman-Ainsworth Early Childhood Program is committed to a philosophy of recognizing individual differences in children. Our philosophy supports an early childhood program that recognizes each child as a whole person whose growth occurs in specific developmental stages that are sequential and continuous. Children enter school at many different stages of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. In order to effectively meet the individual needs of your child, a developmentally appropriate, activity based curriculum has been planned. This includes a qualified and nurturing staff, developmentally appropriate materials, and a warm, stimulating, positive environment with adequate space. An open and cooperative relationship between home and school is essential. We believe that parents and teachers together provide learning experiences and models, which build positive attitudes, promote children’s potential and enhance school success. HOW CHILDREN LEARN We believe that: Children learn best when class size is kept small. Children learn best when they have opportunities to work individually and in small groups and large group. Children learn at a rate that is unique to them. Children learn by building on past experiences. Children learn through their play. Children learn through all their senses. Children are active learners; they manipulate and experiment with a variety of materials and situations. Children learn by exploring, observing, imitating, and practicing. Children learn through repeated experiences. Children learn best when they feel a sense of achievement and self worth. Children learn best when they feel physically and emotionally safe and secure. Children learn best when they have opportunities to engage in all aspects of the learning process; exploration, acquisition, and practice. Children learn best when they are engaged in self-initiated activities and experiences. DAILY SCHEDULES It is important that your child arrives to class on time each day. If your child arrives late, he/she will miss out on learning activities and not receive the full benefit of the program. In addition, please help your child feel secure! Arrive on time to pick your child up from class. You may have a good reason for “late pick-up” but to little children – “late pick up” mostly means, “why am I being left behind when all the other children are going home?” Early Head Start Center children attend classes Monday – Thursday 8:45am -3:00pm beginning in late September thru early June. Weekly home visits for 1.5 hours and twice monthly socialization playgroups will be done early June thru late September. Early Head Start Home Based families will have weekly home visits for 1.5 hours per visit and will participate in 2 monthly socializations. ATTENDANCE Regular attendance at school, home visits and socializations is important for your child and a requirement for our programs. As Federal and State programs, we are required to record a reason every time your child is absent or a home visit is missed. If it is necessary for your child to be absent or for you to miss a home visit please notify the office/home visitor as soon as possible to explain the reason. We are required to document absences in order to comply with regulations, so if we do not hear from you, you may receive a phone call, a note or a home visit asking about your child’s absences. Your child’s absence will be excused because of illness or extreme family emergency. Children go outside each day when weather allows. Children coming to school will be expected to go outside with their class. If your child is too sick to go outside, please keep him/her home from school. Your child is learning how important you feel school success is for him or her. Start your child off right and make sure he/she attends school every day! HOME VISITS and PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES and HOME ACTIVITIES Parent – Teacher communication is very important to us. This is a time to discuss your child’s progress in our program and any family concerns or needs that you may have. We value these home visits and conferences and appreciate your time to help us provide the best experience for your child. Early Head Start Center families should plan on the following visits: 15 Home visits during the year Early Head Start Home Based families should plan on the following visits: Families will receive home visits every week for 1.5 hours Throughout the school year you will be receiving Home Activities packets to enjoy with your child. In each packet you will find some information for parents and caregivers and lots of activities you can do with your child. If there is an activity you do not want to do, choose another activity or substitute one of your own. Just be sure that you and your child are having a good time! Attached to your home activities will be a survey sheet – we need your input! Reading with your child is a very important part of our program, in the center and at home. Some months, a Home Activity packet will include a book for your child to keep with some suggested activities to go with that book. You may notice activities for two different books. That is because some of our younger children in Early Head Start may receive a different book from your preschool-aged child. Remember – the book you receive is your child’s to keep. Enjoy! We hope you find these activities and books to be informative and enjoyable. Your child will love special attention from you! If you have any questions or suggestions concerning the Home Activities, please call 591-7207. Have fun! FOOD and NUTRITION BREAKFAST/LUNCH/SNACKS: A nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack are served, family style, in our classrooms each day for children 12 months and over. Menus are posted and parents are welcome to make menu suggestions. For children less than 12 months, formula and baby food is provided during the Early Head Start hours (8:45am-3:00pm Monday-Thursday). If you choose to bring your own formula and baby food it must be labeled with your child’s name and date when you arrive at the center. *Due to Nutrition Guidelines - teachers are not able to accept treats or food of any type from parents to give to the classroom. If you want to do something to celebrate your child’s birthday, please discuss it with your child’s teacher before the event. TRY THESE CONVERSATION STARTERS AT MEAL TIME What is your favorite food, and why do you like it? What do we use to chew our food? What shapes do you see on your plate? Where do fruits and vegetables come from? Who cleans up when we’re through eating at home? EARLY HEAD START HEALTH REQUIREMENTS Each child must have his/her immunizations up-to-date and have a current physical on file to begin the center. Due to State and Federal guidelines, physical and immunizations must be kept CURRENT to remain in the center. IMMUNIZATIONS PHYSICALS DENTAL Immunizations must be updated Physicals are required at the following times: as they become due and copies Dental screenings are required at each physical.